Machine for double-seaming cans.



PAT-ENTED OCT'. 20, 1903.,

's sHEETssHBET 1.

C. STECHBR.

MACHINE POR DOUBLE SEAMING CANS.

APPLIUATION FILED MAY 9. 1902.

N0 MODEL.

WIHHIIMIH@ ummm i. @wu

PATENTEE 00T. 20,1903. c. STEGEEE. MACHINE EOE DOUBLE SEAMING-GANS.'

APPLICATION FILED MAY 9. 1902.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

No MODEL WMA E E E m@ @Vm www E l, E

W ...hm-@GEH A 1 m al z m1|l|\ if v [Hiv l l n al Iniwldw -|-In lm lul nimm-M@ ww m NINNQ PATENTED OCT. y20, 1903.

v o. STBGHBR.

MACHINE FOR DQUBLE SEAMING GANs.

\ APP'LIGA'IIN FILED MAY 9, 1902.

SHEETS-SHBET 3.

No MODEL.

nimm! llllllllli' IIIIi RL. w .12

liu/ez 11"# arie ec zer fummo No. 741,942 PATBNTED 00T. 2o, 1903. C. STBCHBR.

MACHINE EUR DOUBLE SEAMING oANs.

AP OATION FILED MAY 1902.

'N0 MODEL. e SHEETS-SHEET 4.

PATENTED 0GT,'20, 1908.

G. STBGHBR. MACHINE PORl DOUBLE -SEAMING GANS;

APPLloATIoN FILED MAY 9. 1902.'

QSHBETSBHEBT 5. i

N0 MODEL.

f Nrrnn STATES Patented October 20, 1903i,

PATENT OFFICE.

CIIARLES STECHER, OF POINT EDWARD, CANADA, ASSIGNOR OF TWO-TI-IIRDS TO PETER FULFORD, OF NORTH PORT HURON, MICHIGAN, AND WILLIAM S. CUMMING, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

MACHINE FOR DOUBLE-SEANIING CANS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 741,942, dated October 20, 1903.

Application filed May 9,1902. Serial No. 106.539. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern,.-

Be tknown that I, CHARLES STECHER, of Point Edward, in the Province of Ontario and Dominion of Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Double-Seaming Cans; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the xo letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in machines for double seaming sheet metal 'cans or like vessels for the purpose of fastening or securing the can heads or ends to the bodies of the cans; and the invention consists in the matters hereinafter set forth, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

'The machine herein illustrated embodiescertain of the features of construction illustrated in my prior application for United States Letters Patent, filed on' the 25th day of April, 1902, for improveinents in machines z5 for crimping or otherwise fastening the heads of cans to the bodies thereof, the features in common in said machine being ,the two opposing dies or two sets of opposing dies for operating upon one or both ends of the can or 3o other vessel and said can or other vessel being carried through the machine in rolling contact with the opposing dies. The machine herein shown, like the machine referred to in said prior application, is provided with two straight parallel forming-dies and with two series of movably-connected dies, which move in a plane parallel with the plane of the stationary dies and between which the danges of the can heads and bodies are folded to form 4o the crimps as the cans are rolled through the machine. In the machine herein illustrated the straightdies constitute the forming-dies for folding or bending over the Iianges of the can body and head to edect the double-seam ing of the same, while the movably-connected series of dies, which are connected in the manner to form two endless chains, engage the head-flanges in such manner as to hold the cans in the proper rolling contact with o the forming-dies and to advance the same through the machine. Said machine ein*- braces, in connection with the parallel dies between which the cans or like sheetmetal bodies are passed,a connected series of chucks, which move in unison with the traveling dies and are adapted toengage the centrally-depressed heads of the cans and serve as a means to center the cans between the dies and in some instances as abutments against which the dies act to give proper form to the 6o head and body iianges. 4 With this brief explanation of the general features of the machine I will proceed to a detaileddescription thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. In said drawings, Figure lis a partial side elevation and partial section of the machine, taken on line l l of Fig. 3. Fig. lt is a fragmentary horizontal section taken through the chute for delivering the cans to the dies 7o and illustrating also the means forattaching and adjusting the chute. Fig. lb is a detail illustrating the driving connection between the movable die-actuating mechanism andthe chuck-actuating mechanism. Fig. 2 75 is a longitudinal vertical section of the machine, taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 2 with parts omitted. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section of the machine, taken on line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. Il is an enlarged view of the 8c rear end of the machine with the deliverychute partially removed. Fig. 5 is a face view of one of the centering-chucks for the cans. Fig. 6 is a view, partially in elevation and partially in section, of said chuck and its supporting devices, together with the means for actuating the same and showing the position of the chuck with respect to the can before it enters the depression inthe head thereof. Fig. 7 is a View similaito that 9o shown in Fig. 6, showing the chuck engaged with the can-head. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of one of the lower-die links. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of one of the links of the chain which supports the centering-chucks and connect said chucks as a movable connected series. Figs. l0, ll, l2, and 13 are cross-sections of the upper and lower dies, taken on lines l0 10, ll l1, l2 l2, and-13 13 of Fig. 2, showingthe manner in which the roo upper dies operate to fold the flanges of the can body and head.

As shown in said drawings, A designates the rectangular base ofthe machine, and A A vertical side standards at the ends of the machine, rising one from each corner of said base. Said standards are connected at their upper ends by integral connecting members A2.

B B, Figs. 2 and 3, designate two parallel horizontal upper-die bars, which have longitudinal dovetail connection with parallel horizontal die-supporting bars B B', which latter are attached, by means of bolts b', to cross-f rame members B2 B2, which latter are attached, by means of bolts b', to the standards A.

C C designate a plurality of lower connected movable dies, which have the form of short links and are connected together at their ends to form two endless chains, one located beneath each upper-die bar B and the upper laps of which travel in paths parallel with the horizontal planes of said upper-die bars. The series of dies C on each side of the machine are connected by transverse link-bars C, the individual dies of each series being pivotedl to said link-bars, so as to exibly connect the dies in the manner of a chain, and the link-bars extend transversely from one series to the other and connect corresponding links of the two series. As herein shown, each die link or section is provided at one end with a notch c, as shown in Fig. 8, and at its other end with a reduced portion c', adapted to enter the notch of the adjacent die link or section, and said notched and reduced parts of the links are provided with apertures, through which the link-bars C extend when said dies are assembled in overlapping relation. The die -links C are all made of the same cross-section, being provided at their inner corners with rabbets which afford horizontalsurfaces on which the cans rest and roll and vertical surfaces which engage the end faces of the heads to prevent endwise shifting of the cans, while the different parts of the lengths of the upper-die bars B are of varying cross-sections, as clearly shown in Figs. lO to 13, inclusive, and as will hereinafter more fully appear. It may be stated here, however,- that two distinct folding operations are essential to complete the folding of the iianges as the machine herein shown is organized, so that said upper dies are shown as made at least as long as twice the length of the circumference of the largest cans which are to be passed through the machine. The working faces of said dies will preferably consist of separate steel facings, which are attached to the bodies of the dies in any suitable manner. The two series or sets of connected movable dies are given movement by being trained over front and rear sprocket-wheels D D', which are affixed to rotative shafts D2 D3, said shafts being rotativel y mounted in the standards A', as most clearly shown in Fig. 3. Said sprocket-wheels are provided with peripheral notches d, which are engaged by the link-bars C' in their parts .outside of the dies C, whereby positive movement is transmitted from the sprocket-wheels paths parallel with the upper-die bars B, and

said upper laps are supported, through the medium of the link-bars C', by means of parallel horizontal longitudinal bars A3, which are supported at their ends on inwardly-extending hollowprojections or bosses on the standards A', through which extend the shafts D2 D3, as most clearly shown in Fig. 3. The link-bars are preferably provided at their ends with antifriction-rollers c2, which rest and roll on said bars A3, thereby reducing the friction between said parts. Desirably also the supporting-bars A3 are provided with longitudinal depressions, in which the rollers c2 travel and which prevent endwise .shifting of the link-bars, thereby preventing the lower series of dies C getting out of alinement with the upper series of dies. The said supporting-frame bars A3 act as backing-bars for the upper laps of the lower connected series of dies to hold the same to their work.

The cans are delivered to the space between the upper and lower dies through a deliverychute indicated as a whole by E, which is suitably supported on the receiving end of the machine. Said chute is rectangular in cross-section and consists of four angle-bars e e e e', located one at each corner of the chute, the flanges of which are directed toward each other in a manner to engage the ends and sides of the can, as clearly shown in Fig. la. Said chute-bars are attached, by means of bolts e2, to horizontal arms E', which extend rearwardly from the rear cross member A2 of the machine-frame in the manner most clearly shown in Fig. lat and are attached thereto by means of bolts c3.A The rear bars c of said chute are fixed stationary to said arms E', while the front bars c' arc movably fixed to said arms, whereby the chute may be adjusted to cans of varying diameters. For this purpose the attaching-bolts c2 of the front Achute-bars engage longitudinal slot-s e4 in said arms E', thereby permitting the front chute-bars to be moved toward and away from the rear chute-bars. The lower ends of the rear chute-bars e extend below the level of the upper-die bars and are curved inwardly to direct the cans toward the space between the upper and lower dies, while the lower ends of the front bars c' need not extend below the level of the upper-die bars B. The rear chute-bars e terminate some distance in the rear of the upper horizontal portions or laps of the connected series of the dies C, and a curved plate e5, attached to the lower curved end of the chute-bars c cen- IIO IIS

IZO

trally thereof, extends toward the space between the 'upper and lower dies to direct the cans to said space. The chute is also adjustable to accommodate cans of different lengths, and two of the bars e e at one side of the chute are therefore movable from thecorresponding bars at the other side of the chute in a manner to vary the width of the chute. As a means for providing such lateral adjustment the arms E, supporting the corresponding bars at the sides of the chute,'are connected with the upper transverse member A2 of the frame in a manner to move toward and from each other, said transverse member being hereinshown as provided with longitudinal slots a2, Fig. l, through which extend the bolts e3 by which said arms E' are attached to the transverse member or bar. Said adjustment of the chute may, however, be eected by shifting but one of the bars E.

The upper and lower dies B C are movable toward and away from each other to accommodate cans of different diameters and are also capable of adjustment for accommodating cans of different lengths. For the purpose of adjusting the dies for cans of different diameters the upper-die bars B are mounted in the machine-frame so as to be moved toward and away from the lower series of dies. The means hereinfshown for eecting this result consists of providing the standards A' with vertical slots a', through which extend `the bolts b', by which are attached to said standards the transverse frame members B2. For the purpose of adjusting the dies to cans of different lengths the upper-die-supporting bars B' are movable toward and from each other. This result is effected by providing the Atransverse frame members B2 with longitudinal slots b2, through which extend the attaching-bolts ZJ by which said die-supporting bars are connected with said transverse frame members. The series of die-links C are also movable toward and away from each other longitudinally of the link-bars C, and for this purpose the die-links are attached to said link-bars by means of set-screws c7 in the manner shown in Fig. 3, which permit said die-links to be moved toward and from each other longitudinally of the bars,` as desired.

The cans are centered relatively to the upper and lower dies by means of two series of' movable chucks F F, one at each side of the path of the cans through the machine. The chucks of each series are connected by links, as hereinafter described, and thus connected form two endless chains, the lower laps of which, as herein shown, travel one on each side of the path of the cans through the machine and parallel with the coacting partsof the upper and lower dies. Said chucks F are latter are mounted in bearing-brackets F5 FG, projectingforwardly and rearwardly from the standards A in the manner shown in Fig. 2. Said bearing-brackets F5 FG are attached, by means of bolts f, to outwardly extending flanges d3 on the standards A', Figs. 3 and 4, and said Iianges are provided with slots a4, through Which extend the attachingbolts f of the bearing-brackets,whereby said series of connected chucks may be raised and lowered to correspond with the raising and lowering of the upper-die bars B. The said sprocketwheels F/ F2, about which the series of chucks are trained, are also adapted to be moved longitudinally of the shafts F3 Fwherebythe series of chucks may be spread apart to conform with the adjustment of the die-bars and dielinks when the latter are shifted to adjust the machine to cans of varying lengths. The chains in which said chucks are included, as aforesaid,embrace a plurality of linksf,Figs. l, 2, ,4, and 9,which are provided at their centerswith openings f2, through which the arms or projections f3 of the driving pulleys or .adjacent link, and the overlapping parts of adjacent links are provided with apertures through which extend stems f5, attached rigidly to the chucks F. Said stems are made cylindric and extend loosely through the apertures in the overlapping parts of the links, so as to turn freely and also move longitudinally therein toward and from the cans. Springs f6 surround the ends of stem f5 outside of the links and are interposed between washers f7 at the outer ends of the stems and the adjacent arms f4 ofthe links through which the stems extend, wherebyisad springs tend to hold the stems and the attached chucks retracted from the cans. Means are provided forpressing said chucksinwardlyinto engagement with the can-heads prior to the delivery of said cans from the chute to the space between the upper and lower dies, this work being effected just before the cans leave the lower end of the chute. The means for ef fecting the inward thrusting of the chucks in the manner stated consists of cam or guide` bars G G, located one at each side of the space between the upper and lower dies through which the cans pass, said bars being attached, bymeans of short inwardly and upwardly extending arms g, to the die-supporting bars B', as shownin Figs. l and 3, by meansof setscrews g'. Said guide-bars are provided at the rear end of the machine with upwardlyturned parts G', located one at each sido of the chute andcentrally of the'path of the cans through the lower end of the chute. The extremities of 4said upturned parts Gr are fiared outwardly, as clearly shown in Figs. l and 4, which permits the stems of the chucks to enter between said extreme ends of the guide-bars as said connected chucks are turning over the sprocket wheel F2. As said IOO IIO

chucks pass downwardly between Ythe upturned extremities of the guide-bars the ends of the chuck-stems engage said ,curved parts of the guide-bars, and said chucks are thereby moved inwardly toward the cans to engage the can-heads, as clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 7. The extremities of the guide-bars are so shaped and arranged as to engage the chucks with the can-heads as they leave the lower end of the chute and just before they enter the space between the upper and lower dies. Means are provided for momentarily arresting each can at the lower end of the chute, so as to permit the chucks to engage the canheads. Such momentary stoppage of the cans is effected by means of a spring e, Figs. l and 2,which is attached at its upper end to a crossbar c7, extending between the rear chute-bars e, and said spring is curved forwardly between the ends to engage the cans and is made of such strength as to fully stop each can at the lower end of the chute until it is engaged by two opposite chucks, after which said can is moved forwardly by reason of its engagement with said chucks. The construction of the chucks and the manner of engaging the same with the cans is shown most clearly in Figs. 5 to 7, inclusive. In Fig. 6 is shown the relation of a chuck to a can just before the chuck enters between the curved parts of the guide-bars G, and Fig. 7 illustrates the engagement of the chuck with the can-head after the chuck has been moved inwardly by the curved surface of the guide-bar. The surfaces of said bars are parallel with each other from the curved parts G to the front parts of the dies, where they are curved laterally, as shown at G2, and after the cans pass said parts G2 of the bars the chucks are permitted to spread outwardly under the influence of their actuating-springs, whereby the cans are free to be discharged from the machine and deposited upon a dischargechute, (not shown,) by which the cans may be directed from the machine. In Order to properly guide Said chucks into.the depresf sions in the can-heads when depressed heads are being operated upon, said chucks are provided on their faces adjacent to the can-heads with inclined guide projections f8, Figs. 5, 6, and 7, which are circularly disposed on the inner faces of the chucks, near the peripheries thereof, and are located in suitable notches or recessesf9 in said chuck-bodies. Said guide projections are provided with stemsf10,which extend outwardly through the chuck-bodies and through the recesses f9 therein and are provided on their outer ends with nuts fu. The projections are held in their outermost positions, as shown in Fig. 6, through the medium of springsf, which surround the stems flo and are contained within the recesses ff and the projections f8, which latter are made ahollow to receive the springs, saidsprings being interposed between the ends of said projections and the bottoms of the recesses fg. The inclined guide projections f8 guide the 'wine/ia chucks into the depressions of the can-heads in case the chucks are not brought exactly into line with said depressions when moved inwardly, and when said chucks are moved inwardly said springs f12 yield to permit the projections to be'moved inwardly into' the notches or recesses fi of the chuck-bodies in the manner clearly shown in Fig. 7, the stems flo being projected outwardlyfrom the chucks, as shown in said figure. In this manner the guide projectionsfsafford means for guiding the chucks into the depressed can-heads and at the same time do not interfere with the proper engagement of the chucks with the can-heads after such guiding function has been performed. Desirably the lower laps of the chains which include said chucks and between the supporting or sprocket wheels F F2 are supported so as to hold the said series of chucks in substantially straight lines parallel with the path of the cans while passing through the machine,whereby said chucks are held in proper relation to said cans. The means herein shown for supporting the chucks consist of inwardly extending horizontal flanges G3 on the guide-bars, on which rest and roll supporting disks or wheels F7, which are rotatively mounted on the stemsf5 of the chucks in the manuel' clearly shown in Figs. 4, 6, and 7, said rollers or Wheels being set into notches f, Fig. 9, in the ends of the links j', which fit between the arms f4 at the enlarged ends of adjacent links.

The can-covers H herein shown are provided with the usual central depressions hereinbefore referred to, Fig. 6, and the depressed parts of said heads tit within the ends of the cylindric bodies l-l of said cans in the usual manner. The can-bodies illustrated have previously been` passed through a Hangingmachine, whereby is produced at the end of the can-body a liange h2, and the can-head while being stamped and formed is provided with a radial flange h3, which overlies the ange at the end of the can-body, and a flange h4, which is bent downwardly and inwardly around the ange h2, parallel with the cylindric wall of the can-body. The can-heads are fitted to the bodies by a heading-machine before they are fed to the machine herein shown and described.

'The lower-die links or sections are all made of the same cross-section, as illustrated in Figs. 8, lO, 1l, 12, and 13, inclusive, but the cross-section of the upper dies is varied in different parts of their length. The crosssection of the upper dies at the entrance of the cans between said dies is substantially the same as that of the lower-die links, being provided with approximately horizontal and vertical working faces which engage the ends of the heads and the anges h4 thereof. The parts of the working faces of the upper dies which first engage the anges h4 are inclined slightly upwardly, as shown at fl1 in Fig. 2, thereby facilitating the entrance of the cans between the upper and lower dies. Said hori- IUD pas

zontal working faces of the upper dies are gradually inclined downwardly and inwardly from the initial cross-section shown in Fig. l0 until they assume the cross-section shown in Fig. ll, the latter cross -section being reached at or' about the point fw, Fig. 2. The working faces of the dies at and beyond this point have the form of grooves by which the flanges h4 are pressed fully against the flanges h2 of the can-body, as shown in said Fig. ll. The parts of the dies between the entering ends thereof and the points f15V serve to start the inward folding of the flange h4. The cross-section of the di'es shown in Fig. ll is made of a length equal atleast to the length of the circumference of the largest can which is to be passed through the machine, so as to insure that all parts ofthe iianges will be brought to the shape shown in Fig. ll. When all parts of the flanges have assumed the form shown in Fig. 11, one-half of the work of forming the double seam has been finished. The remaining portion of the cross-section of the dies by which the double-seeming operation is finished is illustrated in'Figs. l2 and 13. In Fig. l2 the cross-section of a die is changed so as to bend laterally and downwardly the folded flanges 712 y71,3 h4 toward the cylindric wall of the body of the can. For this purpose the horizontal working faceso'f the dies just beyond the end of the cross-section shown in Fig. ll are made so as to start said fold inwardly, and the remaining portions of the working faces are made as shown in Fig. I3, which act to fold the flanges flat upon the body of the can. The change from the crosssection shown in Fig. ll to that shown in Fig. 13 takes place between the points f16f17,Fig. 2, and from the points f17 of the upper dies to the end thereof the cross-section of the dies is that shown in Fig. 13. As the iianges are bent inwardly from the points fto f1 the working faces of the dies are inclined downwardly or dropped toward the lower dies f1 f a distance equal to such changes of diameter. From the points f to the ends of the dies the working faces of the dies are horizontal and of constant distance from thelower dies. The length of the upper dies from the points f to the ends of the dies is shown as great as that of the circumference of the largest can which is to be passed through the machine. In view of the decreased distance between the upper and lower dies at the forward ends thereof, and therefore the changes of centers of the cans, the part G2, constituting the track for the series of chucks,is shown in Fig. 2 as inclined slightly to conform the centers of said chucks to the changed centers of the cans. The series of movable chucks move in unison with the dies C, and for this purpose the shafts on which are mounted the sprocket-wheels which drive the chucks and dies C are operatively connected by suitable driving connections. One means for eecting this result is shown more clearly in Figs. I and l, wherein the shafts F3 D2 at the front end of the machine are shown as extended outwardly beyond the machine-frame standard, and the shaft D2 is provided at its end with a sprocket-wheel D5 and the shaft F3 at its corresponding end with a gear-wheel F8. F9 is a short shaft which is rotatively mounted in a bearing-bracket F10, attached to the adjacent bearing for the shaft F2. Said shaft carries a gear-wheel F11, which meshes with the gear-wheel F8, and is provided outside of said gear-wheel with a sprocket-wheel F12. Said sprocket-wheels D5 and F12 are connected by a sprocket-chain I. In order to permit the shafts F2 D2 to be moved toward and away from each other, said sprocket-belt I is pro vided with a tension device which consists of a sprocket-wheel K, which is engaged with the sprocket-belt I between the sprocketwheels F12 and D5. Said sprocket-wheel K is rotatively mounted on a shaft J, which isadjustably connected with a slotted bracket J', that is attached to the adjacent standard A', as shown in Fig. l, whereby said sprocketwheel may be moved to give or take up the slack of the sprocket-chain as the chuck-car- Awith the chuck-centers at the place where they are engaged by the chucks, and therefore obviating the necessity of longitudinally shifting the sprocket-wheels for the series of chucks, .means are provided for shifting the chute E as a whole. For this purpose the arms E are provided with slots through which the bolts e2 extend, whereby the arms E' and the. rear chute members e maybe shifted forwardly or rearwardly for cans of different diameters, and after such adjustment is eected the front chute-bars are adjusted in the manner before described. With this construction the vertical center of the chute need not be changed in adjusting the machine to different cans.

The operation of the machine will be obvious from the foregoing, but may be briefly recapitulated .as follows: The series of dies C and the chucks are given motion through the medium of the driving-pulley D4, and the cans are fed continuously to the chuteE and therethrough to the space between the upper and lower sets of dies. As the first can reaches the spring c6 it is momentarily retarded or detained in position to be engaged by two opposite chucks as the stems thereo engage the `curved or cam portions G' of the guide-bars G. When this result is effected,

` the cans are carried forwardly by said chucks IOC until brought into rolling engagement with the upper and lower dies, after which said cans are carried through the machine both by reason of their rolling engagement with the upper and lower dies and because of their connection with the chucks in the manner described, said chucks remaining engaged with the cans until the stems of the chucks pass into engagement with the outwardly-curved parts Gfa at the forward ends of the guide-bars G, at which time the chucks are spread outwardly by their actuatingsprings and the cans are free to be released from the machine. As the cans strike the opposing upper and lower dies at the receiving end of the machine the shape of the upper dies is such as to begin folding the flanges h4 of the heads downwardly toward the flanges h2 of the body, and the cross-section of the diesis changed at fl to that shown in Fig. ll, which acts to fold the said flanges h4 flat against the flanges h2 of the can-body. The parts of the dies having the cross-section shown in Fig. ll, as before stated, are at least as long as that of the circumference of the largest cans which pass through the machine, so that all parts of the can-head anges h4 are subjected to the folding effect of the upper dies. After said flanges of the can body and head have been brought to the position in Fig. 11 the cross-section of the dies changes gradually from the points j1G to f, between which points the working faces of the dies B decline or drop downwardly toward the dies C. The crosssection of the dies between the points fland f1T is such as to start the folded flanges inwardly toward the can-body, as shown in Fig. l2, and from the points f to the ends of the dies the cross-section of the dies is that shown in Fig. 13, which causes the folded flanges of the head and body of the can to be turned downwardly flat against the body. The length of the dies having the cross-section shown in Fig. 13 is shown to be as great as the circumference of the largest can which is to be passed through the machine, so as to insure that all parts of the folded-down flanges come into contact with these parts of the upper dies. It will be seen, therefore, that the full length of the upper die is somewhat longer than twice the length of the circumference of the largest cans which are passed through the machine. By reason of the fact, however, that the cross-sections of the upper and lower dies are the same from the points f t-o the ends of the upper dies both the upper and lower dies may act as forming-dies, in which'case the upper dies from the points f to the outer ends thereof need be made only as long as half of the circumference of the largest can which is to be passed through the machine. While, therefore, as shown in the drawings, the lower or movable dies serve only as means to press the cans to the upper dies and also to impart a rolling movement to the cans through the machine, said lower dies may serve partly as forming-dies. By reason of the fact that the guide-bars G are attached to the upper-diesupporting bars B it will be readily seen that when said die-supporting bars are moved vertically or laterally to adj ust the machine to cans of varying dimensions said guide-bars arealsoautomaticallyadjusted. The adjustment of the shafts which carry the series of connected chucks is, however, independent, but may be effected to correspond to the adjustment. of the parts hereinbefore mentioned. The entire adjustment for cans ofy different diameters is effected by raising and lowering the upper dies-and their supporting-bars and adjusting the chute in the manner stated; but the adjustment for cans of different lengths is effected by varying not only the distance between the upper dies, but also the distance between the dies, which for this purpose are adapted to be shifted longitudinally of the link-bars C', the latter being connected with the link-bars by set-screwsin the manner clearly shown in Fig. 3. The chucks are for this purpose adjusted by shifting the sprocket-wheels F F2 longitudinally of their shafts. The adjustment of the chute is effected in the manner before described. The upper and lower dies are herein shown as arranged centrally of the machine, laterally considered, so that the adjustment for the different lengths of cans may be effected by moving either of the upper and lower opposing dies, or both.

It is obvious that many of the structural details herein shown may be widely varied without departing from the spirit of my invention, and Ido not wish to be limited thereto except as hereinafter made the subject of specific claims. It is to be furthermore understood that the combinations set forth in the several claims are intended to be separately covered without limitation to other features in connection with which they are shown and not mentioned in such claims.

I claim as my inventionl. A machine for the purpose set forth comprising opposing dies with which the canhead ilanges have rolling contact and movable chucks connected by links to form an endless chain or series and adapted to engage the can-heads.

2. A machine for the purpose set forth com- :prising opposing dies which engage the canhead flanges, one of which is straight and continuous, the die opposing said die being movable to impart a rolling movement to the cans to advance the same through the machine, and a movable endless series of connected chucks adapted to engage the can-heads.

3. A machine for the purpose set forth comprising opposing dies which engage the canhead flanges, one of which is straight and continuous, the die opposing said straight die being movable to impart a rolling movement to the cans and thereby advance the same vthrough the machine, and movable chucks connected by links to form an endless chain IOO IIO

or series adapted to engage the can-heads, said movable series of chucks being operatively connected with the means for driving the movable dies.

4. A machine for the purpose set forth oomprising a series of dies connected to form an endless chain, means for advancing said series of dies, a die opposing said series of connected dies and between which and the movable dies the fianges of the can-heads are compressed and folded and movable chucks connected by links to form an endless chain or series and adapted to engage the can-heads.

5. A machine for the purpose set forth comprising a series of dies connected to form an endless chain, means for advancing said series of dies, Va continuous die opposing said series of connected dies and between which and the movable dies the flanges of thecanheads are adapted to be pressed and folded, said continuous diebeing made of a length at least as great as the circumference of the largest can to be passed through the machine and having a working face of varying crosssections throughout its length and a connected series of movable chucks adapted to engage the can-heads.'

6. A machine for the purpose set forth comprising two series of dies connected to forrn two parallel, endless chains, means for advancing said series of dies, two parallel, straight, continuous dies opposing the movable dies and between which and the mov-` able dies the can-head iianges are folded, the working faces of the straight dies varying in cross-section from one end thereof to the other, and two endless series of movable chucks, one on each side of the' machine, adapted to engage the can-heads.

7. A machine for the purpose set forth comprising two series of dies connected to form two parallel, endless chains, means for advancing said series of dies, two parallel, stationary dies opposing the movable dies and between which and the movable dies the headflanges are folded, and two endless series of movable chucks one on each side of the machine adapted to engage the can-heads, said chucks being movable in unison with a series for shifting the chucks laterally to engage the can-heads and to hold the same engaged therewith during the traverse of the cans through the machine, and means for retracting the chucks from the cans to release the same from the machine.

9. A machine for the purpose set forth comprising two series of dies connected to form` two parallel, endless chains, means for advancing said series of dies, two parallel, stationary dies opposing the series of movable dies and between which and the movable dies the head-anges are folded, two endless series of movable chucks adapted to engage the can-heads, means for shifting the chucks laterally to engage the can-heads and means for retracting the same from the can-heads.

10. A machine for the purpose set forth comprising two series of dies connected to form two parallel, endless chains, means for advancing said series of dies, two parallel, straight, contin nous dies opposing said series of movable dies and betweenwhich and the movable dies the head-flanges are folded and compressed, two endless series of movable chucks adapted to engage the can heads, means for advancing the said chucks toward the can-heads at the entering end of the machine and for holding the chucks engaged with the heads during the traverse of the cans through the machine, and means for retracting said chucks from the heads at the discharge end of the machine.

1l. A machine for the purpose set forth comprising two series of dies connected to form two parallel, endless chains, means for advancing said series of dies, two parallel, straight, continuous dies opposing said series of movable dies and between which and the movable dies the head-flangesare folded and compressed, a chute for delivering the cans to the space between said dies, two endless series of movable chucks one at each side of the machine adapted to engage the can-heads, means for advancing the chucks into engagement with the can-heads at the lower end of the chute, means for momentarily retarding each can at the lower end of the chute to receive said chucks and means at the discharge end of the machine for reti-acting said chucks from the heads.

l2. A machine for the 'purpose set forth comprising two series of dies connected to form two parallel, endless chains, means for imparting movement to said series of dies, two parallel, straight, continuous dies opposing said series of movable dies and between which and the movable dies the head-Han ges are compressed and folded, two series of movable chucks, connected bylinks to form endless chains, one on each side of the machine, said chucks being provided with stems which extend outwardly through the links, springs on said stems which normally retract the chucks from the cans and means engaging the ends of the chuck-stems at the receiving end of the machine to thrust said chucks into en gagement with the can-heads and to hold the same in engagement therewith during the traverse of the cans through the machine.

13. A machine for the purpose set forth comprising two series of dies connected to form two parallel, endless chains, means for imparting movement to said series of dies, two parallel, straight, continuous dies oppos- ICO IOS

IIO

ing said series of movable dies and between which and the movable dies the head-flanges are compressed and folded, two series of movable chucks connected by links to form endless chains, one on each side of the machine, said chucks being provided with stems which extend outwardly through the links, springs on said stems which normally retract the chucks from the cans, parallel guide-bars located on opposite sides of the space between the upper and lower dies, the guide-bars at the receiving end of the machinebeing curved outwardly to permit the stems to enter between the same, the curvature thereof advancing the chncksinto engagement with the can-heads, and the bars being curved outwardly at the discharge'end of the machine to permit the chuck-stem springs t-o retract the chucks from the cans.

14. A machine for the purpose set forth comprising two series of dies connected to form two parallel, endless chains, means for advancing said series of dies, two parallel, straight, continuous dies opposing said series of movable dies and between which and the movable dies the head-lianges are compressed and folded, a chute for delivering the cans to the space between said dies, two connected series of chucks, one on each side of the machine, each adapted to engage the can-heads, means for momentarily arresting the cans at the bottom of the chute, means for advancing two opposite chucks to engage the heads of each can when its progress is momentarily retarded, and for holding said chucks engaged with the can-heads during the traverse of the cans through the machine, and means for releasing said chucks from the can-heads at the delivery end of the machine.

15. A machine for the purpose set forth comprising two series of dies connected to form two parallel, endless chains, means for advancing said series of dies, two parallel, stationary dies opposing said series of movable dies and between which and the movable diesthe head-flanges are compressed and folded, two connected,end1ess series ofchucks which are movable in unison with said movable dies, means for advancing said chucks into engagement with the heads of the cans at the receiving end of the machine and for holding the same engaged with the can-heads during the traverse of the cans through the machine, means for retracting the chucks from the cans at the delivery end of the machine', and a track for supporting said series of connected chucks during their engagement with the can-heads.

16. A machinev for the purpose set forth comprising two series of dies connected to form two parallel, endless chains, means for advancing said series of dies, two parallel, stationary dies opposing said series of movable dies and between which and the movable dies the head-ilanges of the cans are compressed and folded, two connected series of chucks which are movable in unison with said movable dies, and means for laterally advancing said chucks into engagement with the can-heads `at the receiving end of the machine and for holding the same engaged with the can-heads during the traverse of the cans through the machine, means for retracting the chucks from the cans at the delivery end of the machine, tracks for supporting said series of connected chucks during their engagement with the can-heads, and roller-bearings included in the connected series of chucks adapted for engagement with said tracks.

17. A machine for the purpose setforth comprising two series of dies connected to form two parallel, endless chains, means for advancing said series ofdies, two parallel, stationary dies opposing said movable dies and between which and the movable dies the headflanges are compressed and folded, two series of chucks adapted to engage the can-heads, said chucks being connected by links to form two endless chains, stems on said chucks which project laterally through the links, means for advancing said chucks into engagement with the can-heads at the delivery end of the machine and for holding said chucks engaged with the can-heads during the traverse of the cans through the machine, means for retracting the chucks from the can-heads at the discharge end of the machine, rollerbearings mounted on said chuck-stems and tracks on which said roller-bearings rest and roll at the time the associated chucks are engaged with the can-heads.

18. A machine for the purpose set forth comprising two series of dies connected to form two parallel, endless chains, means for advancing said series of dies, two parallel, stationary dies opposing said series of movable dies and between which and the movable dies the head-Hanges of the cans are compressed and folded, two series of movable chucks which are connected by links to form two endless chains, one on each side of the machine, stems on said chucks projecting laterally through said links, guide-bars, one on each side of the machine and located opposite to the space between said dies and adapted to engage said stems to hold said chucks in contact with the can-heads during the progress of the cans through the machine, integral tracks on said guide-bars and rollerbearings on said chuck-stems which rest and r'oll on said tracks.

19. A machine for the purpose set forth comprising two series of dies connected to form two parallel, endless chains, means for advancing said series of dies, two parallel, straight, continuous dies opposing the series of movable dies and between which and the movable dies the head-anges are compressed and folded, two endless Series of movable chucks adapted to engage the can-heads during the traverse of the cans through the machine, means for varying the distance be- IOO lIO

tween the stationaryand movable dies to adjust the machine for cans of varying diameters, and means for adjusting said chucks to correspond with the adjustment of said dies. 20. A machine for the purpose set forth comprising two series of dies connected to form two parallel, endless chains, means for advancing said series of dies, two parallel, straight, continuous dies opposing said series of movable dies and between which and the movable dies the head-flanges are compressed and folded, two endless series of movable chucks adapted to engage the can-heads during the traverse of the latter through the machine, means for varying the distance between the opposing dies on opposite sides of the machine to adjust the machine for cans of different lengths and means for varying the distance between said series of chucks to correspond with the adjustment of said dies. .21. A machine for the purpose set forth comprising two series of dies connected to form two parallel, endless chains, means for advancing said series of dies, two parallel, straight, continuous dies opposing the movable series of dies and between which and the movable dies the head-flanges are adapted to be compressed and folded, a chute for delivering the cans to the space between said opposing dies, two endless series of chucks, one on each side of the machine, adapted to engage the can-heads during the passage of the cans between said dies, means for varying the distance between said dies to adjust the machine to cans of varying dimensions, means l for varying the distance between said chucks to correspond with the adjustment of the dies and means for adjusting said chute to correspond with the adjustment of said dies and chucks.

22. The combination with opposing dies between which the cans are carried in rolling jections being designed to guide the chucks into the depression of the can-heads and to` thereafter recede into said recesses to permit the chucks to enter said depression.

23. A machine' for the purpose set forth comprising opposing dies which engage the can-head anges, the dies on one side of the path of the cans being movable to impart a rolling movement to the cans to advance the same through the machine, and a series of connected chucks adapted to engage depressions in the can-heads during the traverse of the cans through the machine, said chucks being provided on their engaging faces with yielding projections which are located in recesses in vthe chuck-bodies, said projections being adapted to guide the chucks into the depressions in the can-heads and to thereafter recede into said recesses to'permit the chine in rolling contact with the dies, and a series of connected, movable chucks adapted to engage the can-heads during the time the cans are passing between the dies.

25. A machine for the purpose set forth comprising opposing dies with which the can-- head iianges have rolling contact, the working face of one of said dies having two parts of different `cross-section, one at the receiving end of the machine, and the other at the discharge end thereof, and each made of approximately equal length to that of the circumference of the can to be operated upon, said parts of the die'facc being joined by an inclined part which approaches the opposing die, whereby one of said parts of the die-face is closer to the opposing die than the other. 26. A machine for the purpose set forth comprising opposing dies with which the canhead flanges have rolling contact, the working face of one of said dies having two parts of different cross-section, one at the receiving end of the machine, and the other at the discharge end thereof, and each made of approximately equal length to that of the circumference of the can to be operated upon, said parts of the die-face being joined by an inclined part which approaches the opposing die, whereby one of said parts of the die-face is closer to the opposing die than the other, the opposing'die being made of approximately the same cross-section throughout its length as the cross-section of the' first-mentioned die at the` discharge end of the machine.

27. A machine for the purposes set forth comprising a series of dies connected to form an endless chain, means for advancing said series of dies, dies opposing said series of connected dies and made longer than the circumference of the largest can which is to be passed between the dies, the working faces of the dies opposing the series of dies being made of varying cross-sections, and a movable series of connected chucks adapted to engage the can-heads during the traverse of the cans between said dies.

28. A machine for the purpose set forth comprising opposing dies with which the canhead flanges have rolling contact, the working face of one of the dies at the receiving end of the machine being made of different IOO IIO

cross-section than in its part at the discharge Y ence of two witnesses, this 30th day of April, end of the machine, and the parts of the die A. D. 1902. of dierent cross-section being connected by an inclined part which approaches the op- 5 posing die. Witnesses:

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as JNO. M. GLEASON, my invention I afiX my signature, in pres- DAVID A. FITZGIBBON.

CHARLES STECHER. 

